ITV bosses are celebrating after new This Morning hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard beat last year’s viewing figures by 5 per cent.
The pair, who joined the programme last month, also have higher ratings than Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield got in 2023 and have attracted 4.5 million viewers in just a week.
During their three weeks on-air on the daytime show, viewing has been up compared to the average in the year to date and, during this time, has achieved its highest three performances of the year so far.
Ms Deeley and Mr Shephard, who defected to This Morning from its sister show Good Morning Britain, have also proven popular on digital platforms, with 27.7 million video views of the show on social media.
One ITV insider told the Mail: ‘The truth is that Ben and Cat have made a strong start in just three weeks on-air and everyone is delighted.
Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard (pictured) joined the programme last month and have higher ratings than Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield got in 2023
.
Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby both left This Morning in 2023
.
Deeley has taken over, and she and Shephard pulled in 1.02 million viewers for their first show
‘They’ve already had the top three performances of the year so far during the three weeks, and viewing has been up across those three weeks compared to the year to date average.
‘The bosses are thrilled, it has been a very long year for them… so to see figures that prove things are going so well is a huge boost for everyone involved. They are clearly very popular with the viewers.
‘Holly and Phil were on together for 14 years so it has been a long time since there has been a fresh relaunch – The overall view is that this has been a massive success, it’s great news.’
Ms Deeley, 47, and Mr Shephard, 49, pulled in 1.02 million viewers for their first show and have kept their audience steady since.
They are up against the BBC’s Morning Live, which in January extended its running time to clash with This Morning and hired Helen Skelton as its main female host.
While Morning Live averages slightly higher audiences than This Morning, insiders say it sheds viewers throughout the slot after inheriting a big lead from BBC Breakfast.
.
The pair have kept the show’s viewing figures steady
.
Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary stepped in over Easter
+9
View gallery
Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary have (pictured) also had a bumper two weeks covering for Ms Deeley and Mr Shephard over the Easter break
Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary have also had a bumper two weeks covering for Ms Deeley and Mr Shephard over the Easter break.
Bosses feel they have found their dream team in the two pairings. ITV chiefs jumped through hoops to hire Ms Deeley, who has been hosting US reality show So You Think You Can Dance since 2005.
Mr Shephard had been previously lined up to host alongside Ms Willoughby before she sensationally quit This Morning last October.
Mr Schofield left last May following a fall out between the pair. He later admitted to the Mail that he had conducted an affair with a much younger This Morning colleague and later lied about it.
On March 26 viewership dipped to 692,500 – which ITV sources say was because it came on the day of a dramatic bridge collapse in Baltimore.
ITV insiders say when major news stories break numbers for This Morning can dip. But bosses are more interested in building their audience and raising year-on-year ratings.
News
I’M DONE WITH YOU! Harry Shocks With Rage As Meghan Pack All Her Bags And Leave Montecito At 7Am
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent argument in Montecito has ignited intense public and media scrutiny. Witnesses reported a heated exchange, with Meghan hastily packing her belongings and leaving at 2 a.m., while Harry was heard shouting, “I’m done with…
SHE ASKED ME TO DESTROY HER! Meg TERRIFIED As Anne Honours Queen Last WISH To Destroy Netflix Act
In her final days, Queen Elizabeth II made one last request of her only daughter, Princess Anne. The aging monarch was deeply concerned about the damage being done to the royal family’s reputation by Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke…
THAT WASN’T ARCHIE! Arthur Edwards EXPOSES Meghan’s 4 Year Secret About Staged Photo Of Fake Archie
The Royal Baby Photo Call: A Storm of Controversy Brews The birth of Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s first child, was a momentous occasion, eagerly anticipated by the world. However, the public introduction of their newborn son at…
HOW DARE YOU! Kate REOPENS Meghan SLAPP!NG Case Of Princess Charlotte & Files LawSuit After CBS Talk
The simmering feud between the Sussexes and the Royal Family has erupted into a full-blown war, with the Palace launching a blistering counter-attack against Meghan Markle’s claims of being bullied. In a stunning reversal of the narrative, the Palace has…
TRAGIC EVENT! Meghan & Harry To SELL £11M Mansion As They Are Chased Out By Montecito Neighbors
The gates of the sprawling $11 million Montecito estate swung open as the black SUV sped out, leaving the luxurious property behind in a cloud of dust. Inside the vehicle, the driver’s knuckles were white as they gripped the steering…
Meghan Gets OFFENDED by Jane Pauley Questions about Her Kids On CBS Sunday Morning Interview.
Meghan Markle’s recent interview with Jane Pauley on CBS has reignited controversy, particularly due to her visibly uncomfortable reaction to questions about her children. This incident has sparked renewed debate about the legitimacy of her family, with speculation growing over…
End of content
No more pages to load